Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
For the third year in a row, the Buffalo Bandits find themselves in the NLL Finals. This time, a win would etch their names in the history books as the second ever team to complete a three peat. The Saskatchewan Rush stand in their way, and Game 1 showed they are not stepping aside to the history books. Rush playoff hero Austin Shanks (3G, 5A) continued his strong post season play, and Frank Scigliano (11GA, 32SV) stood tall in net. In the back-and-forth affair, the Bandits were anchored on defense by Matt Vinc (10GA, 44SV), while the offense was led by Ian MacKay (4G, 2A) and Dhane Smith (3G,5A). In the game, Smith passed former teammate and current Head Coach John Tavares and is now the NLL’s all-time leader in postseason points. The clinching point came on an assist, a microcosm of the selfless play that has led this Buffalo team to their third straight Finals appearance. The personal record can be celebrated with a win for Buffalo in Game 1 of the NLL Finals. Final Score: Saskatchewan-10, Buffalo-12.
Saskatchewan started hot to start the game. Just 22 seconds in, Clark Walter (1G, 2A) scored on the first shot of the game. Just about two minutes later, the Rush doubled their lead on a goal from Levi Anderson (1G, 1A). Finally, Josh Byrne (1G, 4A) got Buffalo on the board with his first goal of the night and 9:51 remaining in the opening quarter. Kyle Buchanan (3G, 1A) followed it up 38 seconds later and suddenly the game was tied again. Shanks broke the tie before the quarter ended, scoring his first of the game with 3:48 remaining. At the end of the first quarter, Saskatchewan led Buffalo 3-2.
The Rush struck with another quick goal at the start of the second quarter. Brock Haley (1G, 1A) found the back of the net 41 seconds in, extending the Rush lead to 4-2. Scoring took a pause for the next couple of minutes until MacKay’s first goal of the game ignited a Bandits run. Smith assisted on two straight MacKay goals a minute and a half apart, tying the game once more. Chase Fraser (1G, 1A) scored 43 seconds later and Buffalo had their first lead of the game. Unfortunately, it did not last long. Mike Messenger (1G) scored with 2:28 left, and Shanks scored with 50 seconds on the clock. The Rush again had the lead, but MacKay completed his second quarter hat trick 15 seconds later. At the half, Saskatchewan and Buffalo were tied 6-6.
Keeping with the theme, the Rush struck first and early in the third. Zack Manns (2G, 2A) scored two in a row in the first 1:33 of action. MacKay answered for Buffalo, scoring the lone man up goal on the evening in a fairly clean game from both sides. Ryan Keenan (1G) brought the lead back to two with a snipe from outside 39 seconds later. Smith scored next, but Shanks again provided an answer for the Rush. With 6:43 remaining in the third quarter, Saskatchewan led Buffalo 10-8. Before the quarter ended, Buffalo stampeded back with three straight goals. Two goals from Smith were sandwiched around the tying goal from Buchanan. For the second time in the evening, Buffalo had a one goal lead. At the end of the third quarter, Buffalo led Saskatchewan 11-10.
The fourth quarter of Game 1 emulated every success the Bandits have had this post season. No penalties (on either team), a clean sheet from Vinc in net, and just enough offensive bursts to come out on top. Despite multiple good looks and maximum effort, Saskatchewan could not score again. Neither could Buffalo though and the 11-10 score that ended the third quarter seemingly was going to last through the end of the game. Buchanan ended up with a hockey redirect goal off a long shot on the empty net from Smith with just 12 seconds remaining to bring us to the final. Final Score: Saskatchewan-10, Buffalo-12.
Up Next
Game 2 of the NLL Finals will see the Saskatchewan Rush host the Buffalo Bandits on Sunday, May 18 at 8:00 PM ET.